News

A successful mid-term meeting of the I.O.I. Board of Directors took place from 7 to 8 May 2012 and was generously hosted by IOI Treasurer and Hong Kong Ombudsman Alan N. Lai. Directors from all six world regions of the IOI were able to attend this most important meeting mainly focusing on the establishment of a final draft of the new by-laws.

The 2012 Staff Exchange Program between the Control Yuan and Asian-Pacific Ombudsman and Human Rights Offices was held from May 7 to May 9. The program helped participants to deepen mutual understanding and friendship. Six participants from the following six countries took part: Indonesia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Philippines and Thailand.

The current issue informs about personnel changes within the office and announces the upcoming release of the annual report.  Additionally the newsletter gives a brief review of recent meetings like the 10^th meeting of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association which was opened by Gibraltar Public Service Ombudsman Mario Hook.

The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights requested the Constitutional Court to examine and annul certain Provisions of the Media Law because the rules on the election and the termination of the mandate of the Hungarian Media Authority and of the President of the Media Council raise concern on several points.

The inspection was carried out due to a complaint submitted by some women being sheltered at this Center.

Ombudswoman Dr Burgi Volgger reports on the activities of her office within the past year as well as on changes of the legal situation in the Province of South Tyrol.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) recently published its annual report highlighting main trends within Europe regarding racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance.

The By-Laws-Reform is now entering the next stage. The recently completed regional consultation will now be followed up by a Board meeting in Hong Kong in May 2012. The primary focus of this meeting will be to consider the results of the regional consultation and provide the membership after this meeting with a final draft of new IOI by-laws taking members' concerns and proposals into account.

A decree of the Ministry for Justice stipulated that persons in pre-trial detention may have uncontrolled contact in writing and on the phone with their lawyers. Although phone calls to lawyers belong in principle to that category which may not be controlled, in practice, however, there was a possibility for the staff of the penal institutions to listen in shortly.

The members of the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB) presented the annual report 2011 containing key data on the AOB's activities.